Best Paging File / Virtual Memory Size for me

[LOUISSSSS]

System is exactly as in the signature,

info:
Windows XP Pro 32-bit
4 x 1gb of ddr2-800 ram.
150gb raptor

currently set to:
Custom Size:
Initial Size: 2046MB
Maximum Size: 4092MB

my 24/7 virtual mem usage is about 46% (1.76gb/3.84gb)

i currently have 2 x 1gb but will be getting my additional 2 x 1gb (4 x 1gb) in a few days, whats should i change my virtual memory/page file to?

 

[nova2]

keep it at 2gb unless you have proof that you need an even larger pagefile.

 

[ViRGE]

I wouldn't even recommend using a custom size. Windows knows what it's doing, the page file should be set to auto.

 

[dclive]

^^^ Bingo!

 

[JustaGeek]

Absolutely auto!

 

[blackangst1]

I also have 4 gigs of memory and I have my pagefile turned off.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

soo auto is the best even if i have 4 x 1gb of ram?

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
soo auto is the best even if i have 4 x 1gb of ram?

Yes.

Let the system decide how much it needs.

In XP the system would allocate the 3GB for my paging file with 3GB of RAM installed, not 1.5x as I would expect.

The only gain might be accomplished by moving the paging file from the System Drive, but it would have to be moved to another Physical Drive, not just another partition on the same drive, if any performance improvements are to be observed.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: blackangst1
I also have 4 gigs of memory and I have my pagefile turned off.

I would think that some programs DO require the Page File to work properly.

Am I wrong...?

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek

Originally posted by: blackangst1
I also have 4 gigs of memory and I have my pagefile turned off.

I would think that some programs DO require the Page File to work properly.

Am I wrong...?

Nope. Not wrong at all. Disabling the pagefile never made sense to me after researching how it works.

 

[pallejr]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
I would think that some programs DO require the Page File to work properly.

Am I wrong...?

The only way I see that could be true, is if there is no more available ram.

 

[thegorx]

why not just look at the PF usage performance tab in the task manager

I wouldn't set the max only the min if you're concerned about it's size
Or you could do what I did a few years ago and just monitor the pagefile and just run everything under the sun and see how big you can possibly get that sucker. I found back then that it actually cap'd out even with different amounts of memory installed, I can't rememeber exactly where but I really don't know if it can actually use a huge pagefile anyway.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: pallejr

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
I would think that some programs DO require the Page File to work properly.

Am I wrong...?

The only way I see that could be true, is if there is no more available ram.

It does not depend on the amount of physical memory installed.

Apparently Photoshop will NOT RUN without the Paging file enabled.

 

[pallejr]

Your photoshop refuse to run if you don't have a paging file?

In normal operation, applications have no clue about this file. The just live in their virtual address space. How memory is organized is internal to the memory manager

 

[JustaGeek]

I do not have Photoshop - that's why I said "apparently".

All the websites that I have visited recommend to keep it, and even the OS itself recommends the minimum of 32MB.

When I decided to "Disable paging executive" in my laptop's registry, the computer would freeze with the 100% RAM use (2GB) while using Adobe Reader.

So why would you want to disable it, if the OS recommends the 32 MB minimum size...?

EDIT: See, I understand it like if it was a Dam, and to control the water level, you might have to let some thru the dam, so it doesn't overflow.

Like a safety valve...

 

[lxskllr]

My pagefile's set to 4gb max. That's less than $1 of hd space, I think I can live with it on :^)

 

[pallejr]

I'm not saying you should disable it. I just questioned the statement about some programs might refuse to run, if no paging file is present

 

[JustaGeek]

I have finally found some articles:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314482

http://www.maximumpcguides.com...ws-vistas-paging-file/

"Things to Know

Before you start messing with your computer?s paging file there are things you need to understand so you don?t break your computer.

Your computer must have a paging file. Windows Vista and most software rely on the paging file even though your computer has plenty of memory.

The recommended size of the paging file is 1.5 to 3 times the amount of RAM you have.
If you move the paging file, it should always be moved to a different physical hard drive.

Never use a separate partition on the same hard drive as the C: drive. This will slow your computer down.

You can have 2 paging files. Each paging file must be on different physical hard drives though. An example would be a paging file on your C: and E: drives. "


EDIT: "of memory", not "or memory".

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek


The recommended size of the paging file is 1.5 to 3 times the amount of RAM you have.
If you move the paging file, it should always be moved to a different physical hard drive.

The only issue I have is with the recommended size. Using those guidelines, if you have 256mb of ram your pagefile should be 384-768mb(too small), and if you have 4gb of ram your pagefile should be 6-12gb(reasonable, to way too big). It's probably best to just let Windows manage it, but if you have to mess with it, estimate the size based on the memory you think you need for your programs(more for Photoshop, less for Word)

 

[pallejr]

"must" is a word i think they have come up with themselves. Microsoft doesn't use that word.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: pallejr
"must" is a word i think they have come up with themselves. Microsoft doesn't use that word.

These are semantics.

The bottom line in our discussion is that the Paging File is absolutely required for the proper operation of the computer.

No matter how you word it.

 

[pallejr]

Many people can run just fine without, I've also done that in periods. As long as there is enough free ram, you're fine. But it can run out fast, so the paging file is good to have

 

[JustaGeek]

Perhaps you can, but you SHOULD have it enabled IMO.

Just FYI, this is my current memory usage according to Everest:



Field Value
Physical Memory
Total 3069 MB
Used 1199 MB
Free 1870 MB
Utilization 39 %

Swap Space
Total 6323 MB
Used 1637 MB
Free 4685 MB
Utilization 26 %

Virtual Memory
Total 9393 MB
Used 2837 MB
Free 6556 MB
Utilization 30 %

Paging File
Paging File C:\pagefile.sys
Current Size 3369 MB
Current / Peak Usage 409 MB / 429 MB
Utilization 12 %

Physical Address Extension (PAE)
Supported by Operating System Yes
Supported by CPU Yes
Active Yes

EDIT: Have you noticed the amount of Virtual Memory assigned by the system...?

9GB!

You would need a LOT of RAM for that...

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Perhaps you can, but you SHOULD have it enabled IMO.

Just FYI, this is my current memory usage according to Everest:



Field Value
Physical Memory
Total 3069 MB
Used 1199 MB
Free 1870 MB
Utilization 39 %

Swap Space
Total 6323 MB
Used 1637 MB
Free 4685 MB
Utilization 26 %

Virtual Memory
Total 9393 MB
Used 2837 MB
Free 6556 MB
Utilization 30 %

Paging File
Paging File C:\pagefile.sys
Current Size 3369 MB
Current / Peak Usage 409 MB / 429 MB
Utilization 12 %

Physical Address Extension (PAE)
Supported by Operating System Yes
Supported by CPU Yes
Active Yes

EDIT: Have you noticed the amount of Virtual Memory assigned by the system...?

9GB!

You would need a LOT of RAM for that...

what do u mean you would need a lot of ram for that can someone give a PF noob the general on how page file relates to actual physical ram? heres mine from everest 2007:

Field Value
Physical Memory
Total 2046 MB
Used 1567 MB
Free 478 MB
Utilization 77 %

Swap Space
Total 3939 MB
Used 1558 MB
Free 2380 MB
Utilization 40 %

Virtual Memory
Total 5985 MB
Used 3126 MB
Free 2859 MB
Utilization 52 %

Physical Address Extension (PAE)
Supported by Operating System Yes
Supported by CPU Yes
Active Yes

 

[JustaGeek]

So when you run out of physical 2GB, where is it gonna go...? Where is your "safety valve"...?

Most likely, the computer will freeze, and you will have to clear the RAM - reboot!

You DO need the swap file.